Channel Finance Analyst Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at Intel; it was a good experience to meet many other interns, given it was such a large company, as well as providing me with real work to do which challenged me and developed me as an individual. There are tough times, especially when you are learning, but that's just like any job; once you've got the hang of your job, its brilliant, and Intel is a great place to work!

The great thing about Intel, and it's something they pride themselves on, is the high value of your role within the company. You do a real job which would be done by someone else if you weren't there; there's no admin or tea making - it's a real job. With that comes a feeling of value within your team and to some extent, you don't even feel like an intern at all, which shows just how valued interns are; you're not treated any differently to anyone else!

This part of my internship, I would say, is definitely something that stands it out from others - the support you get from managers and supervisors. Not only were weekly 1:1's conducted with your middle-manager, you also had monthly 1:1's with your higher-manager. The first was more work related and day-to-day things which definitely helps give you direction in your internship, as well as support with anything you're struggling with, which is especially useful at the start. The second is more development and progress based which also allows you to improve yourself. The structure is a really good way of doing it!

Workload at Intel fluctuates greatly. In my particular role, we had many quarter close responsibilities which vastly increased our workload in those weeks. During mid-quarters work load falls, but you're never not busy, as this time was expected to be used to involve yourself in other projects or personal development trainings. Overall, workload probably fluctuates from around 80% to 120%. It can be stressful during the busy times, but you come to enjoy the quieter times as a result, that's probably quite normal in most companies though.

The placement year at Intel's biggest selling point is the responsibility you are given in your role. As mentioned before, your job is a real job that the company needs done to function. Without an intern doing it the job would be fulfilled by someone else, so it really is valued. But with that 'real job' does come real responsibility. In my particular job, i had specific quarter end processes, for example, that allowed up to 10 others to continue their processed. Without my part being done, none of those individuals could do theirs, and that pressure and responsibility is what improves you as a person. Your level of responsibility is unrivalled in most other placements!

My placement year has developed me to a huge extent, more than i even anticipated it would. I've learned things such as time management, especially during peak times, and my ability to work with others and on my own. All interns are sent on presentation skills training which, although tough, definitely improved my confidence in presenting which will undoubtedly help me in the future. We were also sent on hard-skills trainings such as Excel classes which, again, will not only assist me in my final year at university but also in any financial role i take on after i graduate.

The general atmosphere in the office is fantastic. It's completely open and even the highest managers sit next to interns and recent graduates. It gives off the vibe that "we are all working for the same thing" and that, in a sense, no one is more or less important than anyone else. There are no offices where managers stay, it's all open. This allows for a more relaxed and positive environment to work in. That, combined with a relatively relaxed dress-code for this type of profession, certainly gives a great atmosphere in and around the office, and it leads to a very positive working environment.

The intern programme at Intel has been running for years, particularly in finance. This means that the whole process is very slick and runs flawlessly. Given the fact there are around 50 interns starting on the same day, the whole organisation means the process runs very smoothly. You get set-up with your laptop and accounts, you get all you necessary trainings and equipment. All in the first morning. After that sessions are set-up to monitor your development and make sure you are on track with ramping into your job etc. Overall it all runs very smooth and well executed.

Intel invested in me largely. I spent many hours in my first month alone in trainings and development sessions. After that, they continue on a monthly-or-so basis and you constantly feel like Intel is trying to develop you as a person. They also run intern-specific trainings which are designed to improve team-work and communication skills, sessions which are exclusive to the intern community, and sometimes, even the 7/8 finance interns only. They definitely want to improve their interns as much as possible.

Very appealing. Intel runs on a culture of rotating frequently (every 2 years or so). This not only allows individuals to get a taste of all different departments and in doing so improve them as an individual, but it also prevents anyone from becoming stagnant and stuck in any one job for a long period of time. It keep everyone fresh and it's exciting. Intel would be a great place to work full-time.

Yes there is a large intern and graduate community (approx. 50 interns and about 30 grads) all of whom enjoy nights out and social events. There are specifically elected social activity teams in the intern community to organise weekends away, trips, days-out and nights-out.

Cost of living is cheap in the area of my placement, but i lived at home and commuted there so less able to comment.

It wasn't fantastic but, as with most places, it is what you make of it. There's enough to have a good time especially with the large number of people on nights out. I wouldn't choose Intel on it's surrounding areas and nightlife anyway though!

Multiple. Intel organised free events for all employees to enjoy outside of work hours, such as bowling nights with free food and drink. They also offer volunteering opportunities and multiple sports and social club discounts - such as football games, theatre, concerts, horse racing events etc.